Brian To’o makes cheeky reference to Nathan Cleary, Mary Fowler romance

Nathan Cleary’s teammates are having plenty of fun over the budding romance between the Panthers star and Mary Fowler.

As the budding relationship between league star Nathan Cleary and Matildas standout Mary Fowler slowly blossoms, Cleary’s Panthers teammates are loving giving the pot an extra stir.

Speculation over Aussie sport’s new glamour couple has been simmering for months and Cleary’s teammates have done nothing to quell the talk.

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Firstly Jarome Luai spoke candidly on the Kyle and Jackie O Show about the couple when they were still in their early days back in September.

Luai was first asked which Panthers player would be most likely to date a Matildas player and he responded with: “Nathan Cleary, shhh.”

Mary Fowler and Nathan Cleary

Asked if Panthers players had discussed the budding romance, Luai didn’t miss a beat.

“Yeah, we’re into them, definitely,” he said.

“He was a bit shy about it, that’s all. I’ve been trying to get some information out of him.

“I wanna see my bro happy, he’s on the lookout for some love.

“Yeah, but we’ll see how they go.”

Now another key member of Penrith’s three-peat of league titles, winger Brian To’o, couldn’t resist a couple of little digs of his own at his superstar halfback.

Cleary has been living the life in the off-season, posting a series of Instagram photos while he attends events such as a wedding, the races, UFC and a helicopter tour of New York City.

The posts are titled “Offseason part 1” and “Part 2”.

Cleary attends the Matildas’ Olympic Qualifier against Taiwan in Perth. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Alongside part one, To’o has the first comment, writing “My guy” with soccer ball and love heart emojis in a cheeky reference to Fowler.

On part two, To’o was again first cab off the rank, this time accompanying “My guy” with a soccer ball and diamond ring emojis.

Among the replies to the second comment are “haha stirring the pot” and “Nathan will get you when he gets home”.

As the rumours initially kicked off online, Cleary expressed his annoyance at the heavy interest into his personal life.

The murmurings about the pair first began when Fowler was spotted out and about enjoying a romantic moment with the NSW State of Origin playmaker in July.

“It is what is, it’s a little bit annoying to not have a private life but I like to not talk about it too much and keep anything I can private,” Cleary said.

“Things take off pretty quick with social media but I’ll try to keep a private life if I can.”

The three-time NRL champion and Matildas superstar went public with their fledgling romance after being pictured in loved up scenes in Perth in early November.

The Daily Mail reported that Fowler had left the team hotel and grabbed a coffee before meeting up with Cleary in a nearby park.

Cleary took his shirt off as the pair cuddled, chatted, laughed and even drank from the same water bottle.

The pair also held hands and had a brief chat before Cleary left in a black SUV and Fowler returned on foot to the team hotel.